Win a $750 Value 'Lucky Shops' Giftbag!

I am a trendsetter of Shop It To Me -- a fabulous personal shopping online retailer. So when I received an e-mail that they are partnering up with Lucky Magazine in a breathtaking giveaway for 'Lucky Shops,' I knew what I had to do: notify my Good Girl Gone Shopping fans and followers.


So here's the deal: 'Lucky Shops,' a shopaholic event (full of designer deals!) that is held in New York City annually, is coming up on November 6th and 7th. If you become a member of Shop It To Me, then you are eligible to win a $750 Value 'Lucky Shops' Giftbag! Inside of the bag, think such amazing items as Amrita Singh bangles, Kiehl’s products, a Clu tanktop, tons of other fun beauty products and more.


Shop It To Me gives these instructions on entering:

• Visit www.luckyshops.com to become familiar with the event (you may want to consider buying tickets while you’re at it!)
• Leave a comment on this blog post about what you think is the most exciting part of Lucky Shops
• You must be a Shop It To Me member to win

They will be picking a winner on Friday, October 31st at 5pm PST by conducting a random drawing among all comments left on the Shop It To Me Blog.

Good luck! And if you're as big of a Lucky Magazine reader as I am, you KNOW this is a giveaway worth jumping on. Seriously.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Shop it To Me

Michelle Obama Reclaims Her Style With a Jason Wu Ball Gown for Inaugural Bash

Remember my confusion and discontent with Michelle Obama's Narciso Rodriguez red and black dress on Election Day? Well, thank you Jason Wu; this 26 year-old, New York designer's white, one-strap dress made it to the stage on Inauguration Day, reclaiming Michelle Obama's style and proving that everyone has (distracting!) fashion flops now and then -- even our new First Lady. (Wu, a designer who is known for his soft palletes and chiffon, truly scored with this opportunity.)

And Barack Obama, our gracious new president, also donned a classic ensemble with a black suit, a white shirt, and smart white tie. Just another reason for us all to cheer and say "Yes We Can" -- true style in the White House!

Photo Credit: http://www.newsday.com/

Chic Galleria Hits New York City for the Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser!

Beth Anderson, the founder and bubbly brilliance behind Chic Galleria, was recently invited by Project Runway's Jack Mackenroth to the Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser.This event was presented by Bank of America benefiting Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC). Getting the ins from Beth's trip to the Big Apple excites me so, that I asked to interview her for a change. (She is the queen bee of interviewing Project Runway designers on Chic Galleria.)

So enjoy some of her insight and thoughts right here, on Diary of a Personal Shopper. Be sure, of course, to visit Chic Galleria for the rundown and details of the fundraising event. Beth was able to chat with Tim Gunn, watch a Betsey Johnson runway show, and listen to Jack speak about his campaign, "Living Positive By Design" -- just three of the jaw-dropping moments tha gained my pure envy. But make that pure, PROUD, envy.

You are now part of Jack Mackenroth's media team! Very cool. How did that develop?

Jack and I originally started corresponding through MySpace. We did an interview for ChicGalleria.com and then he started sending me updates on what was happening with his career. He invited me to attend the GMHC Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser as his guest and I accepted immediately!

And your recent trip to NYC for the "Fashion Forward" show...amazing! What was your number one lesson you took with you from that experience?

Something Jack said when we were chatting at Starbucks, "We are normal people who happened to have been on a reality TV show." Let me just say "normal" people like Jack are extraordinary! His voice is touching the lives of so many people through his Living Positive by Design campaign. One person can make a difference.

On Chic Galleria, you have this awesome trend in interviews running, where you pick the brains of past Project Runway contestants? What made you decide to do that?

It started with an e-mail I received from Christian Siriano, winner of Project Runway Series 5. I thought, "I love Project Runway and I always wonder what happens to the contestants when the show is over." I sent e-mails out to many former Project Runway alums. The interviews are still coming back to me. So far I have had the pleasure to interview Jack, Kevin Christiana, Sweet P, Rami, and Suede. I would like to do the same with Top Chef alums soon.

Tell me about your fashion sense. I've helped you pick out a few items last year, and I remember thinking that you have a great fashion personality: you are open to trying out new styles!

I'm turning 46 on Monday and I'm all about dressing appropriately for my age. I don't fall into trends or wear anything that my daughter would want to share with me. I love to invest my money in gorgeous pieces that I feel good wearing. The Alberto Makali blouse that I wore to Fashion Forward was something I had my eye on for several weeks. I was so excited when Tim Gunn asked me who I was wearing when we were having our picture taken on the red carpet. He loved it!

What are your goals with Chic Galleria? It's not even a year old, and already, you are attracting how many visitors a month?

I would love Chic Galleria.com to be a website that people visit every day. We just added a "Living" section today. We have twelve contributing editors who are experts in their fields and I'm just thrilled with the articles that are publishing each day. I want to offer something for everyone. We offer women crisp style pics and personal development advice; the latest fashion trends for men with a flair for extravagance; recipes and culinary products to tempt your taste buds; education, health and the latest trends for readers with children; healthy tips for living the spa lifestyle and creative ways to treat yourself well and ideas for making your home the perfect sanctuary. I've interviewed jewelers, authors, artists, cartoonists, designers...the list goes on and on.

Well, Beth, from My Chic Things to Chic Galleria, how the heck do you fit in time for yourself and your family?

I don't sleep! Seriously, I have a wonderful team of writers who help me, a fabulous web designer who handles all the tech stuff including our amazing newsletter and a fantastic ad manager. Most of all, I have my business partner (my son) who keeps me sane. I couldn't do it without you, Elana, and our ChicGalleria.com family!

Well, I'm sure I speak for all of us, when I say: Happy Birthday! May all your blessings continue. Now catch up on your zzzzzz's....You deserve it.

Visit Chic Galleria to read Jack's speech!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Beth Anderson (From top to bottom, Beth is posed with Jack Mackenroth, Tim Gunn, and Suede.)

I Entered the Lucky Magazine Denim Transformation Challenge!

I totally decided to take part in this contest, and tell you about it! If you enter, please let me know as I will check out your look. This is very exciting! I would love for you to give me your feedback. I rarely take pics from head to toe, but this past Sunday, Steve and I had fun with the camera.

Good luck! (My, how I would give up an arm and a leg, and my Betsey Johnson wedges, to be a finalist.)

Just head to http://www.luckystylespotter.com to get started.

BANG BANG BABY -- Watch out!

I have discovered an amazing jewelry line -- via myspace -- that I know my clients will simply adore; it is inspired by two of the coolest designers around. Owner and designer Liz Besanson admits that the ever-so-lovely Betsey Johnson and Tarina Tarantino are some of the inspirations behind her line, Bang Bang Baby. So I had to "send a message" to this company, while asking to feature it on Diary of a Personal Shopper. Liz agreed (yay!).

A little background history: Born and raised in New York City, she did the corporate thing for awhile first, while gaining the backbone and tough skin that she needed in a competitive industry. Good thing, because Liz dealt with her fair share of rejection before being turned away from boutiques due to her jewelry line being too "edgy."

So she decided to transform the style of Bang Bang Baby into more chic and glamorous style with, still, a touch of edginess. Then it wasn't long before boutiques starting picking up on her eclectic combo, carrying her line in their store, and making their customers extremely grateful (I'm sure). And get this --Liz never studied jewelry design! But with her drive, talent, passion and unwillingness to hear "no," I ask you this: Does that matter when you are holding an awesome piece of custom-designed Bang Bang Baby jewelry? I think not.

Just see what Liz had to say for herself:

Me: What is your philosophy on fashion?

Liz: Fashion is always evolving. Trends come and go and we know this. To me, fashion is a form of expression as cliche as that sounds. Growing up in SoHo (New York City), I found myself loving the high-end boutiques, but not being able to afford them. So I developed a style that would look just as good without breaking my bank account. I frequently visited designer outlet malls and thrift-stores to find one-of-a-kind pieces to add to my wardrobe. Many people complimented my style and mentioned how "rich" I always look. Little did they know! I guess I bring the same influence into my jewelry designs. I prefer not to stick to one certain "look" or "style." I love them all, especially the edgy look. However, I can only take so much of it and then I need to wear something girly and fun! So when I take a step back and assess my jewelry style, it clearly speaks on the style that I personally own.

Me: Who is Bang Bang Baby designed for?

Liz: I would love to believe that I design for everyone, but this is not true. The 20 to 30-something crowd really gets my designs. They are my audience. There are a few others who will contact me to have something custom designed for them that aren't quite as quirky and bold.

Me: Tell me about the evolution of the name 'Bang Bang Baby'...

Liz: The name came about from searching on the Internet for inspiration. I wanted something that would be bold, fun, and would get people talking. While searching, I came across a picture of a vintage pin-up calendar girl. She was wearing a cowgirl outfit and holding a little gun that shot out a flag that read "Bang Bang Baby!" The picture was sexy, bold, and fun. It really jumped out at me! My designs are just that, and hence, the company name was born!


Want to win a Bang Bang Baby-designed piece of jewelry? Here's how you will win a surprise piece that Liz will pick from her new Fall "Retro Chic" 70s-inspired collection: Post the interview question that you would have liked me to include in this article. Then I pick my fave!

Contest will end this Friday, August 8th! GOOD LUCK.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Liz!

Due Farina Organizes "Project Prom" for Deserving NYC Students

Due Farina, a company that specializes in avante-garde footwear (the description I like to use), is going to make a difference in more than a handful of high school senior girls' lives. Teaming up with 5 high schools in 5 boroughs of NYC, Due Farina is collecting dresses, accessories, shoes, and make-up that will be given out on a prom dress-up day this coming season.

How fabulous is that?

The mission statement from Due Farina: "To reward high school girls who have exhibited excellent scholastic achievement or excelled in overcoming adversity, predominantly in low income communities with a new prom look."

If you're interested in taking part in this project, please contact Marina Levine at (347) 844-9755. Fashion item donations can be sent to:

PROJECT PROM
c/o DUE FARINA
452 Berry Street, Suite #1
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211

* FYI: Due Farina will be donating shoes, but additional dressy shoes are welcome!





Photo Credits: http://www.due-farina.com/